“It takes time to become a woman over forty.”
This quote, from one of our recent Fierce After Forty Alumni, is such a simple yet profound statement.
Sometimes when we pause to reflect on our lives and the lessons learned, we can be tempted to look back with regret, thinking that we could have acted differently or chosen differently than we did in our earlier years. But the truth is that we did the best we could with the knowledge and resources we had at the time. The wisdom now contained in our bones has been hard won- forged from years of experience, mistakes made, lessons learned, and victories won.
Becoming a woman over forty is not just about the number of days we have existed, but the kinds of experiences we’ve had and the lessons we learned from those experiences.
Some of those lessons can only happen with time.
At Show Your Spark, these are some of the insights we’ve been hearing from the participants of our Fierce After Forty Project.
Keep reading to garner more wisdom from one of our recent participants about what it means to become a woman over forty.
Tell us a little bit about who you are today as a fierce woman over forty.
“I tend to be a little hard on myself, especially when trying to reach my goals. Sometimes my goals can feel like they are unreachable, but they aren’t. They are a little bit bigger for me than I can imagine accomplishing at the moment, but I can still be grounded and remind myself it’s going to happen. So, I continue persevering in that right direction to become the best version of myself.”
What does the word “fierce” bring to mind for you?
“To be fierce means to persevere, to stand strong, and not give up.”
“The word fierce brings out the cat in me. (I’m all about the leopard.) It brings out that light, that strength, that inner strength that I quiet so many times.”
“I am at a place now where I can stomp as loud as I want, I can step as quiet as I want, and feel empowered by having the freedom of speech, of expression, of physical expression, of verbal expression, and of emotional expression. I have that inner power that takes me to that next level, too. In every chapter of our lives, there are always more challenges to come. Being fierce after 40 reminds me that the battle is not over. There’s still more to grow into. So the strength that I have now and the knowledge I have now will help me to get further and further in life.”
What are you proud of for overcoming in your life?
“I am proud of doing my life. The road that I walked in the past 10 years was so challenging and took me from cloud nine to cloud three. Now I am building back up that confidence and that self-love that I have that I thought I lost. I’m proud that I’m standing here today and was strong enough to make the decision to choose me.”
What have you learned about yourself and life in general since stepping into your current decade?
“I learned that I can do it and I don’t need anyone to make me happy. Happiness starts with me. Anyone else is a complement to that. They get the benefit from the joy and the happiness I already have and the love I already have in me and for me.”
“I learned to never say, “yes” to someone that requires me to say, “No” to myself. I’ve learned to never put myself in a compromising position where I have to give up so much of myself in order to fit into someone else’s life.”
What do you value now that you didn’t value in your earlier years?
“I now value my independence and the love for myself more than I did in my earlier years. Not that I didn’t love myself, but I think I didn’t love myself enough. I’ve learned to appreciate life more and not let any dreams or visions go by anymore. I value enjoying every little moment, whether it’s on my job, walking down the street, or even riding in the bus or the train by taking time to see the bigger picture and the positive side of things.”
What do you want others to know about what it means to be a woman over forty?
“It takes time to become a woman over forty! It doesn’t happen overnight, but it can be an easier journey for you if you take the time to know who you are, appreciate who you are, love yourself, and not let anyone tell you who you are. Being where I am now, in my forties, is a place of strength and inner peace.”
What has it meant to you to be a part of the Fierce After 40 project, and why did you choose to be a part of it?
“I chose to be a part of the Fierce After Forty Project because I had just left a really messed up relationship where I was depressed and stressed. Seeing the beautiful photos of all these amazing ladies, I never envisioned that that could be me. I thought about how good it would make me feel, to feel alive again, and to have a picture of the possibilities for me. I wanted to be a part of that. I wanted it to bring out that part of me that was so siphoned. I just wanted to out, to put it all out there, and to declare “ This is me! Take it or leave it!” I knew this was my opportunity to shine.”
What does your chosen photograph say about you, and why did you choose it for the show?
“I chose my Fierce After Forty portrait because it says everything about me, especially with the little side-eye. It shows strength while showing my peace. The silver brings out the “boss” feeling that declares “Don’t mess with me. I got this. I am confident in myself and I’m sexy!”
The Fierce After Forty Project, designed by Show Your Spark Photography Studio, seeks to highlight powerful women over Forty through photography and storytelling. In doing so, we inspire countless other women to embrace and celebrate their journey, bodies, and power – no matter their season of life.
If you want to show off your After Forty Fierceness, contact us today!
Remember, you are powerful, courageous, and one of a kind! Show Your Spark!
Here’s what to expect when you contact us!
- Schedule a free consultation call to have all your questions answered and start planning your Spark Experience.
- Select a Spark Session date that fits your schedule. (Studio located in Braintree, MA)
- Rock the session like the bright light that you are, and create beautiful, tangible artwork to inspire you for the rest of your life.
Remember, you are powerful, courageous, and one of a kind! Show Your Spark!
